West powers past East in Lobster Bowl

BIDDEFORD — A slow start did not hurt the West all-star team in Saturday's 23 rd annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl football game.

Carl Pepin

BIDDEFORD — A slow start did not hurt the West all-star team in Saturday's 23 rd annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl football game.

With 12:35 left to play in the second quarter, the East all-stars had just scored their second touchdown of the half and they enjoyed a 16-6 lead over the West in their annual mid-summer gridiron clash. But the West's potent offense soon found its rhythm and they outscored the East, 42-8, the rest of the way on their way to a 48-24 win at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.

It was the second straight win for the West who now lead the series 17-6.

Wells High quarterback Paul McDonough tossed a pair of touchdown passes — including a 26-yarder to Marshwood's Troy Pappas and a 51-yard scoring strike to Matthew Burnell of Bonny Eagle — both in the second quarter. McDonough also ran in, from one yard out, for another West score, early in the fourth period.

The Wells quarterback scored the final points of the game when he added a two-point conversion after the West's final touchdown with 3:12 left in regulation — making it 48-24. Not bad for someone who wasn't sure how much he'd play, if at all.

"Earlier today I didn't know if I was playing or not, I wasn't really sure," McDonough said immediately after the game. He's had a slow-healing foot injury since the midway point of last fall's football season. He said once the game started, the adrenalin kicked in and he was fine.

"Everyone came together today — we got down early, but we stuck together," McDonough said. "It's an honor to be on this team."

Cheverus' tandem of Cam Olson and Spencer Cooke also helped ignite the West attack. Olson alternated at quarterback with McDonough and the former Stag had a 7-yard touchdown pass and a 7-yard touchdown run. Cooke added a 36-yard touchdown run in the late going to seal the victory.

The West also got a 3-yard scoring scamper from Scarborough's Scott Thibeault.

The East's early lead came courtesy of a Jordan Hersom to Samuel Dexter 20-yard touchdown pass and a 1-yard TD run from Jeff Turcotte.

In the third, the East also scored on a 9-yard run from Anthony Jackson.

"It was a great week, I made a lot of friends," said Foley. "Once we got the nerves out and figured what was going on, the defense played well.

"I feel like we wore them down after a while and they couldn't catch up to our passing game," said DiTomasso who likely played in his final football game on Saturday.

"One last time with Paulie and Josh, it was fun,"

In addition to Pappas of Marshwood, other local West all-stars included Matthew Beatrice (Noble), Jared Petruzella (York) and Matthew Clifford (Traip Academy).

Beatrice was in the offensive line, while Petruzella and Clifford saw action in the defensive backfield.

Lobster Bowl notes

Josh Ingalls was another Wells Warrior selected to play in this year's game, but he suffered a lower leg muscle pull on the first day of camp and was unable to take part in the action on the field. He did stay in camp for the week and enjoyed the camaraderie that always accompanies the week of pre-game practices.

"It was a real fun time — great to meet all these guys," Ingalls said about his West teammates.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service